Preston youngsters safe and seen after high vis donation

To mark 2015 Road Safety Week, the Preston Specsavers team helped to ensure children are ‘seen and safe’ this winter by donating a total of 500 high visibility vests to local primary schools and pre-schools.

As part of an initiative by Specsavers and charity partner Brake to increase the safety of Preston youngsters pupils at Holy Family Catholic Primary, Longridge Primary School, Moss Lane Pre-School, Andrews C of E Primary, Moor Nook Primary School and youngsters at Daisy Chain Day Care Nurseries’ after-school club received the vests from the Friargate store team.

Seasonsal safety messageThe florescent vests were also donated by local community groups.

Youngsters at Holy Family Catholic Primary in Whitby Avenue, Ingol, also took part in a workshop to ensure that they’re safe when their learning takes them out into the community, as well as when walking to and from school or on school trips.

Holy Family Catholic Primary School head teacher Christine Mary commented: ‘These fluorescent and reflective vests are an excellent tool to keep children safe so we’re very grateful to Specsavers Preston for working in partnership with us, and for their kind donation.

A popular donation ‘With the onset of dark conditions at times when children are walking to or from school, it is be difficult for motorists to see pedestrians and dusk is particularly hazardous.

‘We’re thrilled to have these vests and they are already proving very popular with the children.’

Preston Specsavers retail director Christopher Shore added: ‘We’re delighted to be able to donate these vests to Holy Family and we were very impressed to find that pupils were already well-versed on their road safety.

Be safe and be seen‘Now that the clocks have gone back, we’re determined to ensure local children are ‘seen and safe’ on dark nights. We hope these 500 bright, easily-seen vests will help spread the message of the importance of protecting kids, families and everyone else on roads this autumn and winter.

‘As part of this initiative, we are also hoping to raise awareness of free glasses and eye tests that are available to under 16-year-olds. It is important to make sure that children have regular eye tests as an undetected problem could lead to something more severe in the long term.’